Reviews (page 6 of 14)
Lahe album. Eriline kõla ja paras kunstiteos ikka. Kiiksuga muusika ja mulle see istub. 4.1/5
Talking Heads is one of those bands that always existed in the peripheries of my life but I never sat down and explored much. This was good! I liked it a lot, and makes sense given I enjoy many of their contemporaries of the time. I will explore more on my own eventually.
I always get a feeling of manic anxiety listening to Talking Heads. The loopy rhythm section. The blippy guitars. The vocals of David Byrne. I want to like this band more but can’t seem to. Maybe for now it’ll remain as respect from a distance.
4,5 pras cabeças falantes
Me surpreedi.
goated
Great
I thought I'd be giving this a 5/5, but rather it's a high 4/5. There's some really good stuff, but the other half of it just doesn't click at the highest level.
Thoroughly enjoyed, had a very groovy sound and really enjoyed the singing. The album art is super cool
Muy chulo, es la palabra que mejor lo describe. Dificil dar sensaciones con una escucha me parece, un album tremendamente bailable y ala vez experimental, no esperaba menos.
1980 me thought this was OK. 2026 me thinks it’s great. Catchy beats and great arrangements. A very good listen.
Really cool layering of vocals on one song. Liked it more than I thought I would overall LETTING THE DAYS GO BY. 3.5
A cult album with a creative Sound approach
Not my favorite Talking Heads album, but still a great listen.
factsaresimpleandfactsarestraight factsarelazyandfactsarelate factsallcomewithpointsofview factsdontdowhatIwantthemto factsjusttwistthetrutharound factsarelivingturnedinsideout factsaregettingthebestofthem factsarenothingonthefaceofthings STILLLLLL WAITING As much as I love this album and the Talking Heads, the last 2 tracks dramatically slow down the pace. I don’t really like how it ends. But man Once In a Lifetime is so great.
Such a unique, frantic, creepy, funky sound. Born Under Punches is a brilliant opener to an album. And Once in a Lifetime is an anthem.
All you can maybe say negative is songs are often too long. But other than that, great album. Oozing with originality, funky, genre spanning deliciousness. Eggs.
I love talking heads and I've already given this album a listen. I should probably listen again. Maybe.
Great album love the bass lines
A stunning collection of songs beautifully produced and aided by Brian Eno
Great art rock album produced at the end of the seventies by Brian Eno
Funky & experimental. Didn't like this album when I was in my 20s. I appreciate it way more now, although it's still not my favourite Talking Heads album (that would be Stop Making Sense).
This album is another foundational tastemaker in my life. That said, it's been a while since I sat down and listened to it all the way through. The truth is that I tend to prefer live recordings of these tracks, like Stop Making Sense. Something about the production on this album leaves me a little cold, maybe it's the Eno influence with the bleep-bloop krautrock overlays. In live settings these tracks really come to life in a warmer, more organic way that I prefer. I could probably write a lot more about this album, but as always I'm crunched for time so I'll leave it at 4.5/5 for me, which seems almost sacrilege, but the last two tracks really drag me down.
Pretty much the definition of early 80s cool in art-pop music (ya, this is pop). Somehow the Talking Heads managed to pull off that detached 80s 'we may all die in a nuclear war' sound while still writing good art songs, unlike contemporaries such as Nina Hagen and Laurie Anderson (which admittedly are 10000% weirder and artier). Pretty cool listen all around with no real stinkers of songs. I'd buy this one.
Very interesting. A bit wild. Haven´t heard the full album.
Good, if a tad repetitive
Very cool album, first half in particular, but loses steam in the second half a bit and falls into some really braindead repetition. Strong lyrics as well that still hold up.
4.0
I like Talking Heads, this is not my favourite album of theirs, but still superbly done.
A great album overall. I can see what the Heads were trying to do, but I feel like it was a little too experimental.
The more I hear of the talking heads the more I enjoy them.such a fun original sound they have.
favorites: crosseyed & painless; the great curve; listening wind
Classic Talking Heads. Enjoyable listening
the best album of talking heads
Holy crap what an album. I wonder how much money they spent on drugs to create this masterpiece of an album. Shoutout to everybody involved 4.45/5
A diverse enjoyable listen. 4/5
Rock, wandering from dream to world-music-esque with bongos
weird!!
Me gusta mucho. Lo escuché mucho en el pasado. Música en su máxima expresión.
Starts out with a lot of funk-style guitar and rhythms, then the album ends on dark somber tracks. Sounds like Adrian Belew is in this one on lead guitar.
“Once in a Lifetime” is essential, of course. More generally, this is one of the best albums by one of the greatest bands ever because of the embrace of Afrobeat. That embrace changed the band—and rock history.
Älskar hur alla instrument agerar rytminstrument! Blir så jäkla svängigt. Jag har lyssnat för lite på Talking heads utöver hitsen inser jag. Hade inte koll på att de kunde vara så här funkiga! Stark 4a!
Första halvan är 6/5, sen tappar det tyvärr lite energi och styrning tycker jag och som album tror jag det hade mått bra av att kapas lite. Jättestark fyra!
David Byrne säger i en ljuvlig dokumentär om funk (som finns på SVT) att han försökte göra James Brown och misslyckades men därmed skapade nåt helt nytt. Det är ändå jävligt träffande. New wave-igt, industriellt och kyligt men med fela kutis vamp och repetitionstänk. Älskar talking heads och deras angreppssätt av funken, och det här albumet är en höjdpunkt.
inte min favorit av deras album men vad ska man göra! jag är en sucker för talking heads!
De borde bara ha gett fan i att göra de där sista, sega "alternativt och svårt band på 80-talet" - låtarna på slutet av plattan.
Really beautifully crafted album.
Interesting and very experimental.
I liked this way more than I expected. Great music to have on in the background while working
I enjoyed hearing how much more existed to the Talking Heads beyond Once in a Lifetime. This was a surprising jam, with cool quirks around corners (like the dark ending to the overload). I always thought their vocals were a little too silly to be enjoyable, but I liked this. I also didn't even realize the Fela Kuti influence until I read about it, and now totally see it. Liked it!
I revel in the weirdness
vibiana
Super influential, amazing production and sound and iconic lyricist
Their fourth album. Post Punk / New Wave. Crosseyed and Painless, Great Curve and Once In A Lifetime are all brilliant tracks. The bass playing throughout the album by Tina Weymouth is superb. The entire album is relentlessly good, it's speeds on by. A fantastic album.
well that happened. Great music (drums and bass) with strange poetry read over it.
Weird, but that's some great bass.
Pretty solid and a smooth nice listen. Not much more I can say, thoroughly enjoyed it.
While I love the talking heads, this isn’t my favorite album by them. David Byrne’s writers block really shows. That being said, the first 4 songs are bangers. After that it turns into a flat version of a Joy Division record.
Really enjoyed listening to this one
Great album. Probably a 5 tbh but personal enjoyment more of a 4.
This record is weird in the best way. Within a few bars you know exactly who it is—no other band sounds like this. The grooves are tight, layered, and hypnotic without feeling indulgent. It’s experimental, but thoughtful. Nothing feels like art-for-art’s-sake posturing. The front half is especially strong—funky, tense, alive. The back half loses a little steam for me, which keeps it out of five-star territory. Still, it’s impressive how fully formed and confident it feels. Not necessarily “my thing,” but undeniably cool, and I’d happily spin it again.
This is a quality album. Lots of influences and interesting things going on. No idea what the lyrics are about, so may be missing something there. Overall, very much enjoyed this!
i LOVE the talking heads!!!!!!
track 1: huge fan of the bassline here track 2: great track track 3: great track track 4: timeless track 5: great track 6: good, probably least favorite track 7: great track 8: beginning reminds me of a pink floyd song, maybe from the wall. overall: 5
Rad.
Really really good
New wave, art rock, funk rock, post-punk, dance rock, afrofunk, worldbeat, psychedelic funk... "Is such a plethora of genres really necessary to desribe this album?" you might ask. Yes, and yes again! That's the magic of this work; its music is all of these things at once. African drums mix with funky bass, typical post-punk guitar lines are superimposed over danceable disco rhythms... Remove even one of these elements, and the entire album would crumble, but precisely because Talking Heads decided to combine the incompatible, it not only sounds coherent, but is considered by many to be their best work. I'll still deduct one point — despite the maximum energy of the first half, some songs could have been shortened a bit; it feels like you're stuck in an endless loop. And Brian Eno wouldn't be himself if he didn't shove some semi-ambient stuff at the end. Otherwise, I recommend it!
Overall: 8/10 This is Talking Heads at their weirdest, and that's saying................a lot. This seems like the album that Brian Eno had the most influence on because a lot of it is borderline ambient. It's always been one of my least favourite Talking Heads albums, but since they're one of my favourite bands, it still slaps. I don't listen to the second half as much as the first half, but sometimes I get in the mood for the slower stuff. Still think Speaking in Tongues should be on the list. Fav Song: Crosseyed and Painless
Incredibly strong start, weak finish. Sounds like me.
Decent LP.
funky
And you may ask yourself, "Well how did I get here?" Chanting into the night, techno-groovy-style. Favorite Song: Once in a Lifetime.
This is a thinking man's album. It's good, but it'll make you take pause. Not something you just casually listen to.
Once in a lifetime is largely carrying this rating but its good enough to and there are a few other tracks that are enjoyable but some are truly miserable.
3++
Ambient while still engaging. The melodies are intricate and intriguing while sometimes a little heavy in the nuances. Vocals are beautiful and the music has a unique jazzyness to it.
Instrumentation doesn't feel as good to me as Buildings and Food but it's definitely interesting. Favourite track: Houses in Motion
fav songs: born under punches once in a lifetime houses in motion stylish, slick, hypnotic 75/100
I love how texturally interesting this is. And also somehow more immersive than a lot of other music?!? When I was listening to this I couldn't think about anything else. 4.5 rounded down just because I think the order of some of the songs could be tweaked a bit to make it more seamless.
Great band, great album! I love the overall instrumental/ musical vibe and got me through doing comparative study last night 💪
Very good 80s alternative album, funky beats and cool instrumentals
Some big stand out tunes here but some drags too. Overall loved it though.
אין על האלבום הזהה
קצת אוברייטד
Definidamente puedo entender porque la gente lo ama, hay mucha variedad que hace que no te aburras y lo disfrutes de verdad.
First track starts as a funk with semi-spoken word. Nice solo/instrumental interlude, electric/heavy fx. Rest is similar. Nice unique sound of funk rock. Once In a Lifetime is actually a decent song Didn't expect this to be so funky throughout. Listening Wind is a departure, almost Kraftwerk levels of robotic synth and beats. Ooh, seems to stay this way, The Overload is quite a dark moody track. Fela's Riff shows good mix of tight beats, synth sequences and improv/solos In general even the bonus outtake tracks are great too! Choosing best track is so hard as the best tracks are all so different! As usual in the best albums Right Start outtake just hits differently, with those ascending and descending slides. Best track - Born Under Punches, Listening Wind, Houses In Motion 4 stars, close to a 5 actually
pretty good.
I like my heads like I like my friends: capable of talking
All tracks from Once In A Lifetime onward are crazy good
8/10… art rock / alternative 80s / *1980
Medio falopa pero está bueno; Si sos gen z en adelante te puede dar un ataquito porque los temas duran 4-5 minutos mínimo. Sape
New wave, art rock, funk-rock, post-punk, dance-rock, afrofunk, worldbeat, psychedelic funk. Worth a revisit.
I have always loved this! Fela Kuti’s rhythmic influence on the band is great! The 3 tracks on side 1 are all gold - and side 2 is better.
This album started out really strong. Manages to sound very 80s but also fresh at the same time. One In a Lifetime is an absolute banger. The last two tracks kind of fell off. The last song gave dirge vibes.
I am more of a fan of their earlier work but still a solid album. Definitely more than David Byrne‘s influence on this one.
Seemed less obviously arty than other music I've heard from them. Towards the end it was quite atmospheric and had that post punk sound that I quite like from the late 70s/early 80s. A generous four.
Personally, I am partial to 77. But still this is a great album. Not perfect and too full of themselves (or himself). But still, I will be listening to this until I don't listen again. Hence, dead. 4 burning brightly in the heavens.
Excellent album. So a classic art-rock sound!
Неплохой альбом. Учитывая год выпуска отличный электронный звук, сложные пассажи. Брайан Ино знал своё дело. Обязательно нужно переслушать его и другие альбомы группы
Not as accessible as my favourite Speaking in Tongues, but a classic all the same
Started slow but really picked up in the middle
Talking heads are such a good band they created a way for music to progress and have some amazing songs! Love talking heads and there bizarre ways
Never heard it before. Once in a Lifetime is a classic. Makes me want to drive through some canyons
Lovely album, I personally love Talking Heads so much, they're so fun. This shit always makes me move, but I just think there are better Talking Heads albums. So it lacks that little something for 5 stars but overall it is still awesome
There are some good moments, but the album is really experimental, so i coudnt really find a vibe. But if I were to describe it, it would be like having a one massive trip, or I could be having a massive trip idk tbh. I'm not saying it's bad, I love it, but some things did throw me off.
Groove after groove!! Not what I’d usually pick on a grey rainy Thursday morning but I liked it!
I'll be honest, I didn't listen to the whole thing - easy listening though. Much of muchness
This one has really good storytelling in its lyrics, touching on political and social ideas as well as more personal and spiritual thoughts. All of this is paired with very cool and interesting music, and the delivery of the songs makes everything more engaging. I enjoyed listening to it and found the album both meaningful and fun at the same time.
Labai įdomiai ir šviežiai skambantis albumas. Tikrai sužavėjo. Nuimu balą visiškai randomly dėl to creepypastos apie albumo coveri.
Love Talking Heads but this may be my least favorite album
4/5
Great production and completely original. Once in a Lifetime is a classic, obviously. All around great record.
Funky; dancy
This challenge finally introduced me properly to Talking Heads, and I’m honestly a bit annoyed it took this long because I am now a big fan. Remain in Light is an album I’ve been looking forward to listening to properly, and it really doesn’t disappoint. There are some genuinely great songs on here. I really enjoyed Unison, and of course Once in a Lifetime is just fantastic. Musically, this album is brilliant. It’s full of loops, strange rhythms, and ideas that shouldn’t work but absolutely do. I love how creative it is. There’s loads going on stylistically too — punk, funk, world music — all mashed together into something that still sounds tight and focused. It feels bold, confident, and completely its own thing. Even now, it still sounds fresh. Favourite track: Once in a Lifetime — pure 80s brilliance. An iconic pop song for a reason. Least favourite track: Fela’s Riff — not awful, just a bit dull. I’m not sure what it really adds. Album artwork: Iconic Talking Heads cover. Instantly recognisable and suits the music perfectly.
Ρε δεν περίμενα να μου αρέσει τόσο. Πολύ ενδιαφέρον ήχος. Θα ήθελα να το ξανά ακούσω. Φαίνεται σαν ένα πολύ καλό introduction στην rock του 80 και με ξάφνιασε πολύ θετικά. Για αυτό που είναι (80s rock album) είναι σίγουρα 4+. Θα έβαζα 3 αν το σύγκρινα με σημερινά άλμπουμ αλλά θα επιβραβεύσω την πιθανή αφύπνιση μου για την rock.
Obviously still a great album but I was expecting much more out of it tbh. Once in a Lifetime is an all-timer though fs.
I have listened to this one before, and had mixed feelings. Upon a re listen, though, I appreciated the album much more as I think I was a little overwhelmed with the genre blending. This album really transitions dramatically from positive to negative as it goes on, which I enjoyed. I also appreciated the influences of the sound created a lot more than on my first listen. You can tell that these guys are talented, and the musicality and production really stands out. One thing that I still am a bit unsure on is the voice of the lead singer. I know this album could only work with that kind of matter of fact voice, but it’s not for me. 8.5/10 for me
Easily my favorite Talking Heads album. Great stuff. Unique and creative without being nonsensical.
While it’s not their best album, it’s a fantastic balance of experimentation and songwriting. Come for the Once in a Lifetime and Crosseyed, stay for the Overload.
good
Oh good another album I already know and love. Favorite Track: Once in a Lifetime
Talking Heads are one of those sacred cow bands that I've always enjoyed in very small doses. A TH song on the radio to break things up is great. A whole album is ususally too much for me. With Remain in Light, I found myself enjoying the afro-beat aspects quite a bit. "Once in a Lifetime" is the clear standout. But I also very much enjoyed the Joy Division-y "The Overload" quite a bit. That was a fun surprise. Overall this is a very solid record with an incredible hit single. FOUR STARS
Great 80s guitar solos
So this album was "preserved" by the library of congress as being culturally significant. It's pretty good, but I don't see it's significance. I'm probably missing some context or something. It's pretty good. Solid funky rhythm for most of it. "Once in a Lifetime" was the best track of course.
Fav track- Crosseyed and Painless Least fav track- Listening Wind Fav lyric- And you may tell yourself, “This is not my beautiful wife”. Overall rating- 8/10 Notes- this was def more my kind of music, again, very similar to previous albums i’ve listened to.
Overall pretty funky. Some cool tunes and some slower moody ones. Would have to listen closer to the lyrics to appreciate I think.
Cool beats and bass.
Best song: Once in a Lifetime Nice find: Listening Wind Worst song: Seen and Not Seen. Too talky.
“Once in a Lifetime” is a once in a lifetime song! If I wanted to make some weird, whacky music, I would definitely pull from/listen to this for inspo Also, this album would be a great album to work to “Listening Wind” would be a great song to smoke weed to “The Overlord” however is a song that is very bad for being on drugs!!!!! Scary scary!
4/5. An extremely interesting and unique piece of work. I think most people can find something here they might like, with the major caveat being that you sorta need to be in the right headspace for this music for it to really work. I don't really know how to describe that headspace quite yet. Maybe you need a slight buzz, maybe you need to be a bit manic. Not really sure. That said, it really is a cool album. The singer's vocals are one of a kind. Production does an amazing job taking this voice and giving it a haunting, hypnotic quality to it. I'm a semi-competent guitarist and personally was enchanted with a majority of the guitar and bass, both in arrangement and the tone they got out of these instruments. Standout song for me was Houses in Motion.
OOPS!
fun short album! good vibes only here. one already liked song.
“Once in a Lifetime”
very good album, liked the funk influences and unique style
Yep Yep Yep Yep
I love all the individual components that make up this album, but for some reason, it’s not click with me the same way other legendary albums do. Maybe I need to listen to it a few more times. I’ll give it a 3.5/5, rounding to 4 cuz if how catchy once in a lifetime is.
Pretty decent
I love this band. Idk if I’ve ever listened to this entire album but I very much enjoyed it
My least favourite of the first 4 Talking Heads LPs... But much better than I remembered it.
fun time.
A tiny bit uneven but just such a great capture at the Talking Heads. Once in a Lifetime is a near perfectly written song. Maybe a 4 but the rhythms are so so tight.
Not every song is perfect, but Once in a Lifetime should be the national anthem.
Nice face
First one. Enjoyed while working out, rhythms... Mojik... The spoken word in Seen and Not Seen intriguing. Want to listen again.
Sure I like it.
Songs are pretty groovy and has catchy lyrics
Great first half, sputters a bit after Once in a Lifetime, but overall, a great album
Really held up well - enjoyed almost all of it.
really good, fun . 12/16/2025
Really loved this album when it came out. Its hard to convey now how new and different this sounded in the moment. "Once in a Lifetime" is an all-timer, also some of the deeper tracks like "Crosseyed and Painless" and "Listening Wind" stand up really well today.
Heard Before: not in full Fav Tracks: Once in a Lifetime Would I Listen Again: very Likely I wasn't paying super close attention during this album listen. But I love Talking Heads so ill give this a strong 4. Rating: Strong 4
not listened to much talking head prior to this. really enjoyed the first 3-4 songs but then got distracted, but will definitely be revisiting.
indie rock must've come from somewhere i guess
It was very cool! I loved the overall theme. It will be a playlist to play while getting ready
LOVED IT!!!!!
Masterful
Never heard of this album or the group before. The tracks were quite interesting but I don't think I will include them in my library.
application of african circular song structure to western chorus/verse song structure. super fun, plenty of aux perc & synthesizers provide atmosphere. david byrne is talking about who the fuck knows what, but he delivers every line as if it carries overt meaning. this is disarming, and i love it.
Wow!! This was way ahead of its time! I would imagine a ton of rappers have samples them over the years. This sounded very different from their radio stuff / greatest hits. The rhythms were so unbelievably catchy. The music was so textured and interesting. I don't know how they would play it live. The first two tracks were 5 star, then Once in a Lifetime is one of my top 40 ALLTIME favorite songs.
Super weird album. It feels almost manic. Some true bangers like once in a lifetime. I like the song listening wind.
Great band. Not sure it's their best work.
Decent 4,5
There is WATER💧 at the bottom of the OCEAN 🌊
I watched Stop Making Sense for the first time during Covid and immediately understood the genius of David Byrne. I see him as a true artist in every sense of the word, someone who follows his own instincts and trusts his creative gut over all else. I could listen to that opening piano/bass/guitar riff of Once in a Lifetime on a loop over and over. This is probably their best album, and I respect the shit out of the decision to end it with a song like The Overload.
This is probably the best Talking Heads album, and it might also be my favorite. Experimental, dance-y, funky, Afro-beat inspired and still uniquely them. Singles are great but also no filler. “Crosseyed and Painless” is such an awesome song…. “Facts all come with points of view, facts don’t do what i want them to”.
Strong album. Not sure why it doesn't quite fit to a 5 for me.
Remain in Light is an unusual album, the 3rd and last to be produced by Brian Eno. More or less consistently, there are no chord progressions or development of any kind within each song. Rather, a groove is established and maintained, a patterned background onto which melody and lyrics are placed. The music is compelling without the sense of progression. I like it a lot, though it's not my favourite of theirs.
More Talking Heads......
01) Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) - 8,0 02) Crosseyed and Painless - 8,0 03) The Great Curve - 8,0 04) Once in a Lifetime - 10,0 05) Houses in Motion - 8,0 06) Seen and Not Seen - 7,5 07) Listening Wind - 8,5 08) The Overload - 8,0 TOTAL: 8,25 (83/100) Current ranking: 177/747
#193/1001. Wtf happened to the site ui? Not good. The weird thing about the Talking Heads is, that the first time you listen to one of their albums, you notice the hit song(s) and the rest remain more or less unnoticed. The more you listen to the album though, the more the other songs pop out, and the hit song - well, still is a hit song. I have owned this album for a long, long time, but still now that I listened to it for this project, it felt like I had never listened to it before, and it is full of excellency. Then I’m also sure I will forget these songs again. Perhaps it is like a suit that changes size slowly - although my experience is that clothes shrink instead of grow over time. I wonder if that will happen to the other Talking Heads albums in this list…songs grow and shrink in their greatness…
Is there any band that sounds more neurotic than Talking Heads? Some music is drug music, others are beer songs, but this reminds me of caffeine music. Hyper and nervous. I find Once in a Lifetime stands out not just for being a hit, but being structured like a pop song. The rest of the songs have a formula: start with nervy groove, add opaque lyrics, then dissonant guitar solo. I like it but it does sound samey after a while.
First full, front-to-back listen of a Talking Heads album, and immediately dug the sonic style and approach. My limited familiarity with Talking Heads was of them as a rock band but the blend of electronic (thanks, Brian Eno) and unique international sounds I couldn't immediately identify (a quick trip to Wikipedia revealed influence from African polyrhythms and specifically from Fela Kuti - all tracks in retrospect) kept me constantly engaged and intrigued. I didn't sit with the lyrics open as I listened, but I vaguely followed the somewhat stream-of-conscious vocals of David Byrne - reading through a few songs would be worthwhile at some point.
You can really hear the Fela Kuti influences with the staccato guitar riffs, and looping percussion. Its enjoyable! But makes want to listen to more Fela instead. Even the vocals on the very first track feel like the typical call and response fond in Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian jazz. Maybe I'm biased. This isn't to say someone from a cominant culture can never be inspired. Byrne and Eno were very loud and public about wher thir influnces came from, and gave credit where it was due. I guess I'm moreso reacting to how the grater public recives music like this. It typcally never leads to deeper investigation of the source or the continent, and stays a footnote in someone elses journey. I did like the way the influences were transformed, Its groovy, well produced, very bright. It works. It shouldn't be downplayed the difficulty in hearing something you like, and being able to mimic it without outright copying. I enjoyed it, there's just a feeling in the back of my mind.....
Such a huge step up on the last record we got in the challenge (the Buildings and Food one). The production is so dense and rich, the band is so much funkier and has picked up good influences - love the Fela Kuti-esque rhythms here. David Byrne's vocals, lyrics and delivery mesh so much better into the sound of the band. Definitely a fan of this one
Thought this was great - if a little anonymous in places
This is an experience album. And while "Once in a Lifetime" is an incredible song and standout hit, most of this album is just worth the experience. There are groves, jams, and sometimes unintelligible lyrics, but the brilliance of the band is that it just works. I am not sure how much I remember of the album, I just know that when you listen, it all comes together thematically, sonically, tonally, etc. "You may find yourself listening to another talking heads album, and you may ask yourself..."
Great album, although after listening (or attempting to listen) to several Talking Heads albums, I think they're more of a greatest hits band for me. Born Under Punches was pretty great Once in a Lifetown obvs 10/10 Houses in Motion was decent Listening Wind was my favourite discovery
Anxiety
Always a pleasure
Superb, but not perfect. Close. 4.5/5
it was an interesting vibe
For an album listed as a top 100 of all time, i'm not sure. Yes, some fantastic grooves and interesting tracks, but as a whole it would be down on my list. I'll listen again and maybe I can find that collective album spark.
Some innovative beats for the time that are repeated throughout the album
Feeling generous, high 3
I don't have much to say about this beyond that it made me realize how unfamiliar I am with the Talking Heads discography. Turns out I've listened to My Life In the Bush of Ghosts a lot more than any TH album, except maybe Stop Making Sense. Anyway, I like it well enough.
4/5 - The front half of this album is really outstanding. Crosseyed and Painless is one of my favorites. Adrian Belew’s guitar work is really really good. Overall, I just love the soundscape the band explores here and how many bands this influenced in the early 2000s indie scene that I really appreciate.
I enjoyed this way more than my last talking heads album. Grovey, energetic and I could actually tell the songs apart!
Quite funky which I'd forgotten about it. Another outstanding Talking Heads release. Favorite track: Crosseyed and Painless
This album captures the frantic energy of sitting in a basement looking at dirt under a microscope wondering if the heavy winds will send a tree through your window.
Yeah, 4 for Once in a lifetime. It’s not my groove but they were influential at the time.
I like this and when someone asks me what kind of music I like sometimes I say, goth, punk, funk, psych and world music. I think of this as world music. Listening Wind Is my jam. I think of it like world music. I wonder sometimes if Eno wasn’t on the albums that he was would they have gone a different direction. Who really cares. Talking Heads really has something for everyone.
This was not too bad.
I generally don't like this type of music and the project is definitely oversaturated with the like. Alas, this album was cool. Which proves my point about music. Every genre can be cool, you just need to hear the right band play it.
I've listened to "Remain in Light" multiple tines and thought it was just ok -- despite it's reputation on the internet music space. But sitting down to really focus on the music and lyrics did reveal its brilliance: mystical, groovy, and funny.
This is surprisingly great. Even more so when you realize it was released in 1980.The first several songs I was thinking this was definitely something that I could put on rotation, but I think it slows a bit at the end. It ultimately doesn't attain the upper reaches of a 5 star rating, but it's very good, very influential, and it is one of the increasingly rare albums that I can completely understand why it was chosen for this project.
Just spooky enough for Halloween week.
Liked this more than I expected to "frog rock"
Really enjoyed this. Talking Heads have produced some excellent songs (This Must Be the Place, Road to Nowhere as two absolute classics) but hadn't listened to this album before. Was half expecting something very arty and pretentious. Instead we get a great accessible, rhythmical, funky album. Worthy inclusion.
Great album, forgot how wonderful the first song is. Some of the other tracks drag, especially the last one, but this is a strong 4 or weak 5. My parents didn’t have this on CD (at least as I recall) so this one has always been less familiar to me.
Funky, weird, fun. Once In A Lifetime is a masterpiece. Man I love this band.
Mochte ich. Guter Sound.
Could probably become a 5 star with more listens.
Interesting, rather than wonderful. A real change compared to so many albums, and Once In A Lifetime is an undeniable classic. A few other tracks have interesting ideas and melodies, but they don't stick in the memory or inspire as much as the others. Still, you can see how mindblowing it would have been at the time. A very low 4 / high 3
7/10 Favorite: The Great Curve
This music has the X factor. I was interested in hearing the next track, but I don't think I'd have it on repeat. 3.8.
Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5
High song quality throughout.
I feel like I need to listen to this even more, but this is a cool album. There's something alluring about it! I'm kinda addicted to the chorus of Houses in Motion. No trouble at all
Really liked this album especially house in motion
Solid 4. Very funky and groovy. Felt like you’re stuck in a rhythmic whirlwind while someone recounts their dreams to you. Interesting to get this right after their debut - I think I like ‘77 a bit more?
The back half of this falls off a bit for me and I really think that some of these songs are better on Stop Making Sense. That being said, the inclusion of Once In A Lifetime alone makes this album one of the best
Classic 80’s rock
I vacillate between annoying & genius when I listen to the Talking Heads. What is going on inside David Byrne’s head? Can music be both repetitive and surprising? That’s my reaction listening to this one. Some gems for sure. The beats mixed the droning unmistakable Byrne vocals. The music sure is interesting. Some moments I’m tempted to hit skip, some moments are mesmerizing, and sometimes I’m just bobbing my head and wanting to dance around in an oversized suit. Mixed reaction summarizes my view of this record, but it’s an impressive work of musical art one way or the other.
Once in a Lifetime is an exceptional track, one that stays with you for hours after listening. That song along gave this album an extra star. Sadly, the rest of the album did not reach close to those heights and I've listened to enough Femi Kuti to be really impressed by what I heard.
Beim kochen. Verschroben, aber cool
It’s such a good album. And that one song is probably one of my favs. But second half of album is a bit unforgettable
Talking Heads’ polyrhythm era. Once In a Lifetime is one of their many masterpieces. This is an amazing album but not my favorite of theirs! It’s like listening to the sound of unraveling (in a good way)
Once in a Lifetime was amazing. The whole album is strong. Nice change of pace from the filler we’ve been getting.
True weirdo stuff. Not usually stuff I seek out, but I'll almost never ask you to turn it off.
The ending always bothered me, but everything leading up to it is amazing.
Remain listening.
Good stuff. Good vibes.
Shouldn't they be Singing Heads? ★★★★
Where have taking heads been all my life? Second cracking album from this list I’ve discovered.
Gear: Sennheiser MOMENTUM TW 4 Artwork: 🫣🔴🔲 Production (2005 Remaster): 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🔥🚀🌐 Ratinng: 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️/5
Talking Heads can be a lot of fun, they can also feel pretty repetitive. I feel I should love this album more than I do, but 7/10
I enjoyed this one a lot more than I expected.
Fantastic. What Mike said - Byrne is a wonderful unique musical/artistic creature and this record is such a fun ride and the same time that I discovered them with once in a lifetime
Sehr dichter, grooviger Sound!
Supergroovy and fun album. Actually very close to 5 stars to me - it just misses the click for me. But fun, innovative and fresh album!
2025-10-07: Listening to the funky first tracks I feel atrophied, unable to heed the music's call to loosen up. Most of the album I felt trapped between its potential to loosen me up into a 5 experience and the 3 feelings I have after the wear out of the ups and downs of today. The soothing power of the chill last track was welcome.
Same as it ever was - great
Calm and Crazy
Super fun, even if not my favorite Talking Heads album. Some cool experimental stuff.
Highlight Song/s: Born Under Punches, Crosseyed and Painless and Once in a Lifetime Wow, wow, wow. This is my probably favourite of the bunch by Talking Heads on this list. Having had listened to 3/4 albums now (1. Fear of Music, 2. More Songs, 3. Remain in Light.) It has this really solid dance sound to it, David Byrne's voice is a lot more tolerable to my ears. I also really enjoy the unorthodox approach to the album; the last 3 or so songs really represent the unorthodox side pretty well! They definitely refined their sound by this album.
Once in a lifetime is a top song, enjoyed a few of the others
Same as it ever was - great
I want to rate it a five but it’s a four. the first four songs are masterpieces, the next two songs are OK, the last two are meh.
Fajny, trochę w stylu King crimson. Dobry bas, ciekawy wokal
I like the songs that we know the Talking heads for. Some of the other songs are good too and would probably be something I listen to again so realistically its a 4.
finds cool! bi no fan vo prog rock, funk und allem verwandte, und new wave isch au immer nice
Interesting album, each track its own vibe which I apricated. Overall preferred side one, but side two was good too.
4 stars. So damn groovy.
Was in high school when this was released, great part of me music scene
classic 80s record 4/5
Once again, now that I’ve heard a few Talking Heads albums, I still have not heard a song of theirs that I didn’t like. Good shit.
Got it already
This is not my beautiful house, this is not my beautiful wife – æ høre ikke på Talking Heads til vanlig, men æ blir aldri sur om æ må høre på Talking Heads, så det funke i massevis.
If existentialism was an album. A record to heavily admire with it's incredible grooves and polyrhythms, but outside of Once in a Lifetime, not one I truly love.
Once in a lifetime is so fucking good. Unfortunately, there are a couple numbers that just kind of go on. Talking heads isn’t my cup of tea per se but I certainly appreciate this one
A tale of two halves, starts really strong, and then is all downhill after Once in a Lifetime. I enjoyed some of the spacier, experimental elements; this list is slowly converting me from hater to a light fan of the Talking Heads
Solid album. Once In A Lifetime is an all time banger. 4.5⭐️
Pretty approachable Talking Heads album, IMO.
An excellent album. It's very cool to hear what Brian Eno and David Byrne came up with working together. It's all very fresh and innovative, very forward-thinking while remaining catchy. It's also funky, upbeat and overall pretty interesting. The instrumentals are the highlight of the album, as they are very rich mixes of different sounds and styles, effects and ideas. Byrne's singing works for the most part, it's a bit stale at some points but not a big deal. The absolute standout track for me was "The Great Curve", the drums and horns are super interesting, and the chorus is super catchy.
A friend and I spoke once about Talking Heads and what a weirdo David Byrne was. Yes, they have some good songs. Yes, they’re talented. Yes, they were definitely punk in a way that Ramones and Dead Boys and the Heartbreakers weren’t because they were just that challenging to listen to. But if you’re a real Talking Heads fan, you’re probably a creep. If the Ramones were the scummy street rats of the 70s ¨Taxi Driver¨ New York, Talking Heads were the guys masturbating in a porn theater in Times Square. There’s an unwholesome weirdness that permeates the music of Remain in Light. It starts from the unnerving cover art and continues through the first song, ¨Born Under Punches.¨ Wailing ¨Take a look at these hands,¨ David Byrne sounds like a cross between a wailing spirit coming out of an Irish bog at night and a Southern preacher you just know is having an affair with a 14 year old girl (and will later go on to marry). There’s a funky baseline and beeps and boops from a telephone calling you from hell. The bass and drums on this album are incredible, setting up a concrete jungle beat for David Byrne to just get weird over. There are the occasional painful guitar solos, horns, keys, organs and an assortment of ¨everything but the kitchen sink¨ happening just when you don’t expect it to. ¨Once in a Lifetime¨ is the song I’ve heard before and it sounds like the ramblings of a suburban serial killer. ¨Remain in Light¨ reinforced my view of David Byrne, Talking Heads and Brian Eno. It’s weird, occasionally disturbing and so creative and surprising that I had a hard time hating it. That people can actually create such profoundly weird music is a testament to the human spirit or something. I’m impressed! Best songs: ¨Born Under Punches,¨ ¨The Great Curve,¨ ¨Once In a Lifetime¨
Argh… I really want to give this a five, but I don’t know if I can justify putting it above Sound of Silver. Still really good. High 4. Favorite Track: Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)
Day 28, fourth pick I have on vinyl. Turning out to be a nice average! One of 6 records I own of the Heads. Loved this band since my youth. My dad would play “And She Was” and I’d hear some select tracks on classic rock radio. I remember being a senior in High School and thinking how lame it was that I had no one to talk to about how great this band was. Since my taste has veered more mainstream, I’ve been wary about revisiting Talking Heads. Byrne can be too winking in their artiness. Pretty hard to deny this from the first bit of percussion* and yelp that opens the album on "Born Under Punches". I think it's just the contrarian in me that turned against the Heads in recent years when their popularity rose even before A24's (ugh) rerelease of Stop Making Sense. There's a little too much energy on side A. Feels like you need to be on speed to match the rhythm of the music. Ultimately holds up and I can still greatly appreciate it. Just such a laugh that Born Under Punches charted in the 2020's. I have to give it 4 stars when 4.5 would be more convenient but 5 is just too high of praise if I truly want to know what my favorite albums of all time are. *Robert Palmer contributes to percussion on the album, gotta wonder if it's him! EDIT: Legit always thought MJ invented the moonwalk but it’s done numerous times in the “Crosseyed and Painless” music video from 2 years prior to its mainstream moment with MJ in ‘83. According to the wikipedia page on moonwalking, however, the earliest incarnations go back to the ragtime era. I love the music video for the opportunity it gave African Americans to represent themselves next to the obvious cultural appropriation of the album which only included one black participant, the backing vocalist Nona Hendryx.
Whilst listening to this album, I was thinking "ow tune-yards drank from this album, this sound" the afrobeat and the singing is so innovative, the sounds are so vivid that still resonates. I knew "Once in a Lifetime " but honestly, I never liked David Byrne, so I never digged into their sound.I mean, it is innovative and deeply influential, I liked it but it didnt get to the point that I love it... ...am I okay to just dig w h o k i l l instead?
A grower I could see myself falling for. 3.5 for a first listen.
A great album with plenty of hits. I don't usually return to the full thing but it was enjoyable on my listens today. Still a few tracks I'm not huge on, but 4 stars is certainly fair
great
Great album. Loved all the different sounds and the innovation they did here.
Listened Before? N This is another great TH album. Lots of fun play with sound and words. Good stuff. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Once in a Lifetime
This album has been growing on me like a virus, in the sense that the tracks are so infectious that they get me super excited and moving like I have the dancing plague of 1518. Well, at least for the first half of the album, as the first four songs are just a constant build up until it reaches the climax at 'Once in a Lifetime', and then my energy starts to banish moving forward through the tracklist. So, what makes this album so exciting? First of all, the production of Brian Eno makes this album sounds impecable and spacey. Have to love this man work. Everything he touches sounds amazing. Then, the layering of instruments and vocals is also incredible. I think the most noticeable example would be 'The Great Curve' having the most funky feeling of all the tracks with all the vocal layers it has. And finally, this record has a very charming and uplifting feeling thanks to the tiny details, the catchy melodies and rhythms, and the very extravagant way of singing of David Byrne. This album may seem like one of the most charismatic records of all time (which, at some point, it may be), but it also present a slower and more tone down side with 'Listening Wind' feeling kind of heartfealt with the delicate singing and sound. The rest of the tracks, 'Houses in Montion', 'Seen and not Seen' and 'The Overload' I think are a bit underwhelming in comparition with the rest, but still very good on their own. Is because of these tracks that I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5.
The ending was kinda ok, but the first 6 tracks blew me away.
Love the talking heads. Love the whimsy. Love the funk. Love the general weird vibe that sets them apart. Just over all great.
Been waiting for a Talking Heads album above wanted to educate myself and quite unfamiliar. Love the original sound, whacky samples and electronica. Great energy and intensity and can hear the influence on Radiohead somehow. And the classic ‘Once in a Lifetime’ Surprised by how much I’ve struggled with Eno’s albums on this list, consistently, but produced this. Maybe a nice balance and more focus on TH style. Feels like on long trip (with various different emotional corners). Oh, and going to start reading the full wiki on each album. Feels such an important part of the creation and some amazing stories. Prefer first half to second half
Serious funk - need to relisten to this but reckon it was cool
3.5⭐️/5 [08.25.2025] 01.17.2026
What an absolutely stunning sounding record. Already said on here why has it taken me so long to hear these records. Have bought in physical form the other 2 albums after hearing on here. And if had lived with them for the last 30 years they would have been 5 star when they came up. But to be fair this is a 5 Star from the off. Brian Eno is a bit of a studio wizard isn’t he. 4 Star
I like to think about how I might perceive this album, hearing Talking Heads for the very first time....I'd be super impressed. Super fun riffs, clever lyrics, unique sound. 8.5/10 would recommend to a friend.
Had not heard a lot of these songs. Kept finding myself subconsciously bobbing my head with the groove of many. Solid album.
Okay, I had never actually listened to this album before. It’s worth a lot of listens. They only ever sound like themselves, and at the same time, you can hear how they absorb global genres and lay down a kind of blueprint that later western artists have continued to follow.
Original, ever evolving and constantly interesting. I discovered Talking Heads quite recently and have enjoyed ploughing through their back catalogue Remain In Light is a definite highlight. Great orchestration and holds your attention throughout. I wish I’d have discovered them in the 80s as their innovation is largely lost on just their singles. Bloody good.
Haven't listened to a whole Talking Heads album before. Very enjoyable, the big hit with Once in a Lifetime. Overall a solid album and I would listen again.
Classic
Es una obra muy experimental. Demasiado experimental, pero tiene chispa, es intrépida y muy divertida. Es refrescante y valiente toparse trabajos que juegan con los sonidos de forma tan desquiciante y los coros y voces como si de instrumentos se tratase. The Great Curve es alocada y genial. Un gran descubrimiento para mi.
Lots of great percussion and effects and solid singles
I know album
Love the Talking Heads!
This was quite good. It’s the first full Talking Heads album that I’ve genuinely enjoyed. The electro instrumental jams were epic. I’d listen again for sure!
Extremely irritating people but an all time classic album.
Once in a Lifetime is a perfect song, maybe the single most impactful song I've ever heard. Any album that includes it is going to be pretty close to a perfect album. Enough said.
Loved how it brought multiple genres together. This was fun! Influenced but not a copy of those it took from
Reminds me a lot of LCD Soundsystem - one of my favorites. Genre-defying. Wish I had more time to spend with this album.
def have some new wave influences, I can kind of hear the little details and it’s very interesting it makes me want to listen to it a second time through…maybe someday
Excellent album
Mr Bryne is such a strange funky little man.
Maan this was a banger. How does it sound so gooood
This album was surprisingly transitional between the 1970s and 1980s, with the first half focusing heavily on disco-pop and the second half focusing on New Wave Synth-Pop. Once in a Lifetime was in a perfect position for that transition between the two. Oddly enough, I used to hate that song, but once 40 rolled around it started making a lot of sense and that song became more autobiographical. I applaud David Byrne for having that inspiration in his late 20s. I also have to applaud Tina Weymouth for her Bernard Edward’s bass funk (that woman is groovy!). Overall I appreciated this album though at times it did get transient in its repetition. As an album through today’s lens it was good. From a historical lens, it’s great!
Random thoughts: * I liked this one a lot! Definitely a listen again. * Once in a Lifetime is a classic. Cool to hear it in its original form along with its siblings. * I didn't realize there was a huge Afro influence on this record which was cool to listen to. It make this super funky and groovy throughout. * I usually hate the extended/extra tracks but really dug the last 2 bonus tracks: "Double Groove" and "Right Start". "Right Start " seems like an early version of Once in a Lifetime. * Once in a Lifetime is a wordy song. There is not a lot of breathing space in that song. * 1001 show me again that I need to listen to more Talking Heads.
1980 African polyrhythms, loops Once in a lifetime Houses in Motion
interesting
Such a funky record. Dark in spots, light in others. A true representation of Talking Heads diversity.
Talking Heads were ones to celebrate music from all sorts of places. That's well exemplified here, with obvious world beat, reggae, new wave, funk influences among many others. Leading into this album, it sounds like the band was a bit frustrated with the songwriting responsibility falling solely to front man David Byrne, with less emphasis on the group as a whole. Well, what we got was an instrumentally eclectic album that allowed the entire band to shine!
Love this album
Borderline 5-stars. This is an album that has grown on me over the years. Not that I ever disliked it—on the contrary—but it has an obviously unusual rhythm snd structure to it, evenif you've heard some other Talking Head stuff. In Ny case, a great album, and Born Under Punches in particularly is fucking fantastic.
Dad- 9 Mom- 9.5 Mike- 8 Lori- 7.5 Michael- 8 Miles- NA Cole- NA Avg- 8.4
Pretty good flow. I like it
Hard to believe there was space for a record as off the wall as this among all the shit I usually associate with the 80s. It's gushing with energy and creativity, and really makes you wonder where some of the musical ideas on here came from. Even the outtakes bang. Lyrically, it's sometimes too art-student-unleashed for me. I think of Once in a Lifetime: the chorus is poignant and pretty, while the spoken interludes are just garish and trite. Yet I love the song.